Cedros Alpamayo Circuit
Cedros Alpamayo Circuit
Cedros Alpamayo Circuit — A complete double traverse of the Cordillera Blanca
Starting in the small Quechua village of Hualcayán and finishing at Cashapampa just 6.5 kilometers south, the circuit is a twelve- to thirteen-day adventure with six high passes and almost no crowds on the Cedros half. It crosses from the Cedros to the Santa Cruz valley over Punta Unión, considered one of the great mountain crossings in South America. It’s the most demanding trek in the Cordillera Blanca—and absolutely the most rewarding.
IntiRumi is 45 minutes from Hualcayán and 20 minutes from Cashapampa—and we can help you from start to finish, with everything from transportation to meals.
Cedros Alpamayo Circuit — A complete double traverse of the Cordillera Blanca
Starting in the small Quechua village of Hualcayán and finishing at Cashapampa just 6.5 kilometers south, the circuit is a twelve- to thirteen-day adventure with six high passes and almost no crowds on the Cedros half. It crosses from the Cedros to the Santa Cruz valley over Punta Unión, considered one of the great mountain crossings in South America. It’s the most demanding trek in the Cordillera Blanca—and absolutely the most rewarding.
IntiRumi is 45 minutes from Hualcayán and 20 minutes from Cashapampa—and we can help you from start to finish, with everything from transportation to meals.
Zoom In
● Double Click Where you Want to Zoom in
● Make a Selection while Holding the ⇧ Key
● Use your Mouse Wheel
Zoom Out
● Double Click While Holding the ⇧ Key
● Use your Mouse Wheel
Pan Left or Right
● Click, Hold and Drag Left or Right
Pan Up or Down
● Click, Hold and Drag Up or Down
Rotate the Map
● Right Click, Hold and Drag Left or Right
Tilt Map
● Right Click, Hold and Drag Up or Down
One Finger
Zoom In
● Double Tap
Pan Left or Right
● Press, Hold & Drag Left or Right
Pan Up or Down
● Press, Hold & Drag Up or Down
Thumb & Forefinger
Zoom In or Out
● Touch & Pinch or Spread
Rotate the Map
● Touch & Spin
Two Fingers
Tilt the Map
● Touch & Drag Up or Down
One Finger
Zoom In
● Double Tap
Pan Left or Right
● Press, Hold & Drag Left or Right
Pan Up or Down
● Press, Hold & Drag Up or Down
Thumb & Forefinger
Zoom In or Out
● Touch & Pinch or Spread
Rotate the Map
● Touch & Spin
Two Fingers
Tilt the Map
● Touch & Drag Up or Down
Zoom In
● Double Click Where you Want to Zoom in
● Make a Selection while Holding the ⇧ Key
● Use your Mouse Wheel
Zoom Out
● Double Click While Holding the ⇧ Key
● Use your Mouse Wheel
Pan Left or Right
● Click, Hold and Drag Left or Right
Pan Up or Down
● Click, Hold and Drag Up or Down
Rotate the Map
● Right Click, Hold and Drag Left or Right
Tilt Map
● Right Click, Hold and Drag Up or Down
One Finger
Zoom In
● Double Tap
Pan Left or Right
● Press, Hold & Drag Left or Right
Pan Up or Down
● Press, Hold & Drag Up or Down
Thumb & Forefinger
Zoom In or Out
● Touch & Pinch or Spread
Rotate the Map
● Touch & Spin
Two Fingers
Tilt the Map
● Touch & Drag Up or Down
One Finger
Zoom In
● Double Tap
Pan Left or Right
● Press, Hold & Drag Left or Right
Pan Up or Down
● Press, Hold & Drag Up or Down
Thumb & Forefinger
Zoom In or Out
● Touch & Pinch or Spread
Rotate the Map
● Touch & Spin
Two Fingers
Tilt the Map
● Touch & Drag Up or Down
Cedros Alpamayo Circuit
Take it to the next level with true adventure and 12 to 13 self-guided, wild days out on the trail.
Days & Nights: 12/13 Days, 11/12 Nights
Max Altitude: 4,860 m / 15,944 ft
Route: Hualcayán to Cashapampa
Best Time: May – September
Difficulty: Difficult
Distance: ca. 120 km (75 mi)
Overview
The Cedros Alpamayo Circuit completes what the Cedros Alpamayo Trek starts, typically taking 12/13 days. Beginning at Hualcayán (3,140 m / 10,300 ft) on the western flank of the Cordillera Blanca, the route crosses the range from west to east through the remote Cedros valley, reaches the Alpamayo massif at Jancarurish, then turns south and traverses back west over the Santa Cruz valley, crossing Punta Unión (4,750 m / 15,584 ft) before descending to Cashapampa (2,900 m / 9,514 ft) — just 20 minutes from IntiRumi. The circuit covers approximately 120 kilometers on the trail and crosses six significant high passes:
Punta Cullicocha — 4,860 m / 15,944 ft
Vientunan — 4,770 m / 15,650 ft
Cara Cara — 4,830 m / 15,846 ft
Mesapata / Yanacón — 4,610 m / 15,125 ft
Alto de Pucaraju — 4,640 m / 15,223 ft
Punta Unión — 4,750 m / 15,584 ft
No other trek in the Cordillera Blanca offers this range of terrain, altitude, and isolation in a single continuous route. It is comparable to the Huayhuash Circuit in difficulty and quality — and unlike the Huayhuash, you’ll share the trail with almost no one on the Cedros half.
Scenic Highlights
The Circuit divides naturally into two distinct worlds, and the contrast between them is part of what makes it exceptional.
The first half — the Cedros section — is remote, ancient, and wild. You’ll climb through agricultural terraces above Hualcayán that have been worked since before the Inca, cross the crystal-blue Laguna Cullicocha beneath the Santa Cruz massif, descend into the Cedros valley through native queñual forest, and arrive at Jancarurish — a glacial lake cradled directly beneath Alpamayo’s north face. Alpamayo (5,947 m / 19,511 ft) is widely considered the most beautiful mountain in the world, a perfect ice pyramid that rises straight from the valley floor. Most trekkers who arrive here spend an extra day just sitting with it.
The second half transitions into the broader, more open terrain of the Santa Cruz system. After Cara Cara Pass — which delivers one of the finest aerial views of Alpamayo on the entire route — the trail descends through the Moyobamba valley and crosses toward the high plateau country above the Santa Cruz valley. The ascent to Alto de Pucaraju delivers a sweeping panorama that takes in Taulliraju, Chopicalqui (6,354 m), Huascarán (6,768 m — the highest peak in Peru), and Huandoy (6,160 m) simultaneously. Then Tuctu, Punta Unión, and the long familiar descent through the Santa Cruz valley past Ichiccocha and Jatuncocha lakes to Cashapampa.
If you’ve already done the Santa Cruz, the second half will feel like seeing a familiar story from a different angle. If you haven’t, it will feel like a reward you didn’t know was coming.
Daily Experience
Ten days in the backcountry means ten days genuinely off the tourist circuit — particularly on the Cedros half, where you may go entire days without seeing another trekking party. The communities you pass through — farming families at Hualcayán, herders in the high valley above Cullicocha, Quechua settlements near Jancapampa — have shared use of the national park for generations. The trail crosses their land, and their hospitality along the way is part of what makes the Cordillera Blanca something more than scenery.
Wildlife rewards the patient: condors above the high passes, vicuña on the plateau sections, viscacha sunning themselves on the boulders near Cullicocha, and remarkable birdlife in the queñual forests of the Cedros valley. At night, camped above 4,000 meters with no light pollution, the Milky Way is not a metaphor.
Physical Demands
The Cedros Alpamayo Circuit is rated difficult — the most demanding of the three main routes in IntiRumi’s backyard, and one of the most challenging treks in the Cordillera Blanca. Ten consecutive days at altitude, six high passes, sustained days above 4,500 meters, and the notorious double-pass day from Wishcash over Cullicocha and Vientunan to Ruinapampa (8–9 hours, two passes above 4,770 m) make this a serious undertaking by any measure.
This is not the right route for a first high-altitude trek. The right candidate has prior multi-day trekking experience at altitude — ideally including the Santa Cruz or something comparable — is in strong physical condition, and has a realistic understanding of what ten days on a remote mountain trail actually involves. Good days are magnificent. Hard days are genuinely hard. The weather in the Cordillera Blanca changes fast. The route does not have easy bailout options once you’re in the Cedros valley.
Get the preparation right, and you’ll walk out of Cashapampa with something that most trekkers in Peru never find.
Acclimatization is critical. You will be spending the better part of two weeks above 3,500 meters, with multiple nights above 4,000. We recommend a minimum of three acclimatization days before starting — two of which should push you above 4,500 meters. Laguna 69 (4,604 m) and the Artesonraju moraine (4,800+ m) are the benchmarks. If you feel strong at those altitudes, you’re ready. If you don’t, the Circuit can wait — or you can consider the Trek instead, which finishes at Vaquería and gives you a shorter window on the Cedros section.
Suggested itineraries include two or three of the options below.
- Upper Paron
- Laguna Chacra
- Laguna Artesonraju
- Laguna Congelada (Artesonraju morain)
- Sphinx Base Camp
- Laguna 69
- Laguna 513
None of these are wasted days. All of them are spectacular in their own right.
Itinerary
This is a suggested 18-day itinerary including travel from Lima and acclimatization days at IntiRumi. The trek itself is 11 to 12 days on the trail. Self-guided means it’s yours to adjust — but please take your acclimatization days seriously.
Day 1 — Arrive in Lima
Fly into Jorge Chávez International. We recommend an overnight in Miraflores before the drive north. Arriving in Caraz exhausted is a poor start to a ten-day trek.
Day 2 — Lima to IntiRumi (Caraz)
Private or public transport north to Caraz, approximately 7–8 hours through the Santa Valley. We can arrange a reliable private driver from Lima or advise on bus options. Caraz sits at 2,256 m (7,402 ft) — let the altitude begin its work tonight over a good dinner.
Day 3 — Acclimatization Day 1
A half or full-day hike to altitude. Laguna Parón (3,885 m) is a natural first day; Sphinx Base Camp pushes higher and is excellent early preparation. Eat well, sleep well.
Day 4 — Acclimatization Day 2
Go higher. Laguna 69 (4,604 m) is the day’s benchmark — your first real read on how your body handles altitude. If you feel strong there, you’re on track.
Day 5 — Acclimatization Day 3
The Artesonraju moraine (4,800+ m) is the ideal final acclimatization day — it takes you to circuit-relevant altitude without the commitment of a full climbing day. Evening route briefing at IntiRumi: day-by-day walkthrough, pass logistics, water sources, arriero arrangements, satellite messenger protocol, and Cashapampa pickup coordination.
Day 6 — IntiRumi to Hualcayán (3,140 m)
We drive you to Hualcayán, 45 minutes from the hotel. Meet your arriero and mules. Set up camp in or near the village. Last night in a community for a while. Overnight: Hualcayán
Day 7 — Hualcayán to Wishcash (4,300–4,520 m)
The route climbs steeply from the village through ancient agricultural terraces, the views expanding behind you as the Santa Valley drops away. Arrive at Wishcash in the afternoon — a high, open camp with the last comfortable grazing for the mules before the passes. Distance: ~10 km / Elevation gain: ~1,300–1,400 m
Day 8 — Wishcash over Punta Cullicocha (4,860 m) and Vientunan (4,770 m) to Ruinapampa (4,000 m)
The hardest day on the circuit. Leave early. From Wishcash the trail climbs to Laguna Cullicocha — crystal blue, reflecting the Santa Cruz massif, with viscacha on the boulders and the sense that you’ve entered a different world. Then up to Punta Cullicocha, the highest point of the entire circuit, with panoramic views across the northern Cordillera. The descent is steep. Then the trail climbs again to Vientunan before the long drop into the Cedros valley and camp at Ruinapampa. Expect 8–9 hours on the move. Distance: ~18 km / Two high passes
Day 9 — Ruinapampa to Jancarurish / Alpamayo Base Camp (4,250 m)
A shorter, easier day — welcome after the previous one. The trail follows the Cedros valley through native queñual forest and past the ancient stone ruins of Ruinapampa (worth stopping to explore — pre-Inca structures of unknown purpose, sitting quietly in the valley). Arrive at Jancarurish with Alpamayo’s north face rising directly above camp. Distance: ~10 km
Day 10 — Rest Day at Jancarurish / Optional Alpamayo North Base Camp (4,500 m)
Take the morning at camp. Let the mountain come to you. Optional hike to Alpamayo North Base Camp for a closer look at the north face and the high glacier — one of the great mountain viewpoints anywhere. This is the day most trekkers say they needed more of. It is also the pivot point of the circuit — tomorrow the route turns south toward the Santa Cruz system. Optional: ~4 km round trip
Day 11 — Jancarurish over Cara Cara Pass (4,830 m) to Huillca (4,000 m)
A long but spectacular day. The climb to Cara Cara delivers the finest aerial view of Alpamayo on the entire route — the perfect pyramid framed against open sky, with its glacial lakes far below. Descend through the Moyobamba valley to Mesapata Pass (4,460 m), then continue down to camp at Huillca in the broad Tayapampa valley. Distance: ~14 km / Two passes
Day 12 — Yanacón Pass (4,610 m) to Jancapampa (3,600 m)
The trail climbs to Yanacón Pass — also known as Paso Pucajirca — with wide views over the Pucajirca peaks, then descends through green valleys into Jancapampa, a lower camp where Quechua families sometimes come to trade. A gentler day by the standards of this circuit. Distance: ~12 km
Day 13 — Tupa Tupa Pass (4,360 m) to Huecrucocha (4,000 m)
The route passes through several high Andean communities, where you’ll encounter people grazing cattle and alpacas across unfenced grassland. Climb to Tupa Tupa Pass, then descend to camp at Huecrucocha. The landscape begins to shift — wider, more open, the scale of the Huascarán massif starting to dominate the horizon to the south. Distance: ~12 km
Day 14 — Alto de Pucaraju (4,640 m) to Tuctu (4,200 m)
One of the great viewpoint days on the entire circuit. The ascent to Alto de Pucaraju delivers a panorama that most trekkers stop to photograph for a long time: Taulliraju directly ahead, and behind it Chopicalqui (6,354 m), Huascarán (6,768 m — the highest peak in Peru), and Huandoy (6,160 m) filling the southern sky. Descend through the broad plateau of the Tuctu valley and set up camp with everything you’ve earned. Distance: ~10 km
Day 15 — Tuctu over Punta Unión (4,750 m) to Taullipampa (4,250 m)
If you’ve done the Santa Cruz before, this pass will feel familiar from the other side — a different angle on a landmark you know. If this is your first crossing, it will feel like the finish line of something. From the top: Taulliraju, Quitaraju, Artesonraju, Chacraraju — the full panorama of the Santa Cruz valley below you. Descend to Taullipampa. Distance: ~8 km
Day 16 — Taullipampa to Alpamayo East Viewpoint / Llamacorral (3,760 m)
The route descends through the Santa Cruz valley, passing the Alpamayo East face viewpoint — a completely different perspective on the mountain you saw up close at Jancarurish. Continue down to Llamacorral camp, the last night on the trail. Distance: ~12 km
Day 17 — Llamacorral to Cashapampa (2,900 m) / IntiRumi
The final descent to Cashapampa along the Santa Cruz valley. Your transport is waiting. Twenty minutes back to IntiRumi — hot shower, cold drink, the best meal you’ve had in ten days. Distance: ~8 km
Day 18 — Rest, Return, or Extend
Start back toward Lima, or stay another night. After twelve days on the trail, you might take a break and enjoy the gardens, the restaurant, and the view from IntiRumi.
Note on the itinerary: The day count above includes a rest day at Jancarurish, which we consider essential on a trek of this length — both for the body and because the mountain demands it. Trekkers on a tighter timeline can run the circuit in 9 days by skipping the rest day, but we don’t recommend it. Talk to us.
Support
This is what “self-guided with support” means in practice:
Before You Go
▷ Orientation
▷ Acclimatization
▷ Fitness review
▷ Route review
▷ Gear review
▷ ** SERNANP (permit guidance and fee information, current rates, where to pay)
▷ Weather outlook
▷ GPX track and route notes
▷ Trailhead transfer from IntiRumi to Cashapampa.
▷ ** Arriero (burro) coordination (more support on the trail)
▷ ** Trail Foods (help with pre-prepared foods)
On The Trail
▷ We have your itinerary, and your back
▷ ** InReach/satellite messenger rental available
▷ Local contacts (near trailheads)
When You Finish
▷ A place to wash up
▷ Pickup from Vaquería
Back At IntiRumi
▷ A hot shower, and a real bed
▷ The best meal you’ve had in four days
Your Kit
And what You’ll Need to Plan for:
International flights to/from Lima and applicable airport taxes
** In-country transport (including Lima – Caraz)
Hotel accommodations in Lima
All food during in-town days or extra food/beverages ordered from hotels
Incidental expenditures, including emergency evacuations and medical costs
Travel, personal, and/or medical insurance
Emergency evacuation plan (generally part of your travel insurance)
On the Trail
▷ National park entry & all community/camping fees
▷ Camping gear (tent, sleeping bag rated to -5°C or lower, sleeping mat)
▷ ** Three healthy meals a day plus snacks (help with pre-prepared foods)
▷ All cooking and eating utensils
▷ First aid kit stocked for wilderness expeditions
▷ ** Arrieros and Donkeys (help with an Arriero)
▷ ** Satellite telephone or InReach (for emergency use)
▷ Personal clothing and gear (see full list below)
Long-sleeve shirts
Cotton short-sleeved shirts or t-shirts
Fleece or wool sweater and/or trousers
Lightweight pants
Long (thermal) underwear
Medium-weight parka (fibber or down)
Light cap and wool hat
Rain gear (or poncho)
Water bottle
Light gloves
Medium-weight socks
Hiking boots
Small day-pack
Strong waterproof duffel bag
Sunglasses, sunblock, lip balm
Flashlight with spare batteries and bulb
Personal hygiene items, towels, etc.
Getting Started
If you’re planning to do the Cedros Alpamayo Circuit on your own, we can help.
IntiRumi is located one hour from the Hualcayán trailhead and 45 minutes from Cashapampa — you start and finish at our door. We know this route in every season, and we can provide you with a real base camp, local knowledge, help with logistics, and support before, during, and after your trek.
We can help with anything from domestic flights, and in-country transportation, to meals on the trail, and the burros to carry them. We’ve marked a few the trickier things to think about below. Let us know what we can do to help you get started. We’ll be in touch with more information and prices.
Arrieros & Buros
One of the more practical decisions you’ll make is whether or not to hire an arriero (muleteer) and burros to help carry your gear. Most independent trekkers who go fully self-sufficient end up regretting the pack weight. A good Arriero doesn’t just carry gear — they know the route, and where seasonal water sources are, and they’re often a direct connection to the local community along the way. We can help with reliable arrieros.
Satellite Telephone / InReach
InReach is Garmin’s latest line of satellite communication technology. It allows users to send and receive messages, share their location, and trigger emergency SOS alerts via the global Iridium satellite network when off-grid.
More…
Help with transportation, domestic flights, pickups, private transportation from Lima, etc.
Help with SERNANP, permits and park fees. Current rates, and information on where to pay.
Help with pre-prepared foods for the trail